You don't have to plant tens of thousands of bulbs each fall like we do at the New England Botanic Garden to have a gorgeous spring display in your home garden. Flowering bulbs can be a great addition to your garden in almost any quantity. They add interest by flowering while our perennials are still dormant, attract pollinators, and are relatively easy to care for.
In addition to knowing the basics of planting bulbs (some bulbs are planted in the fall, others in the spring, they are planted last and at a depth two or three times the length of the bulb) there are a few things you should keep in mind. Note: Don't take your screen to the next level.
Try using small bulbs. When most people think of flowering bulbs, they think of tulips and daffodils, but there are other flowering bulbs that can add interest to your garden and significantly extend the bloom period. I am most enthusiastic about bulbs that bloom very early, such as snowdrops ( Galanthus ) and crocuses. When the deciduous trees are leafless and the rest of my garden is still dormant, these flowers warm my heart and give me hope that spring is upon us. These bulbs are small, about the size of a coin, so you don't need to plant them very deep. Plant in groups for maximum effect.
Don't forget to check the conditions of the bulb culture. The saying “right plant, right place” also applies to flower bulbs! Some bulbs, such as common camassia ( Camassia quamash) , like moist soil and full sun, while others, such as Siberian bulbs ( Scilla siberica ), tolerate drier shade. A little research goes a long way, and bulb catalogs usually contain detailed descriptions of what your bulb needs to thrive.
Add alliums (and other bulbs in early summer). This late spring bulb variety is deer and rodent resistant, has a long bloom season and attracts butterflies. With a ball of small flowers on long, upright stems, they add structure to your garden. Try different types like "Gladiator" or "Ambassador" for a great effect.
Choose bulbs that can be naturalized to get the best value for money. Although tulips are stunning and beautiful everywhere around us, there is no guarantee that they will return year after year. Try Narcissus. With hundreds, perhaps thousands, of different varieties, you'll be able to find the shape, size and color that suits your garden year after year.
Don't cut the leaves right away, remember this in spring. It may be tempting to remove the leaves after the flowers have finished blooming, but the leaves will continue to photosynthesize for weeks or months, allowing the plant to store food in the bulb and produce new flowers the following year. .
Consider dumping friends. If the foliage looks unsightly, it is helpful to sprinkle it with other perennials to hide it. Daffodils and daylilies are a tried and tested combination. When the leaves of the daffodils wither, the daylilies enter the flowering season. This also ensures cascading flowers in your garden for added interest. You can choose any perennial as long as it has the same growing conditions as a bulb. Make sure your selection is still young when the bulb flowers, so it doesn't cast a shadow on the plant.
Don't start planting until your project is completely complete. It seems obvious, but more than once I have made the mistake of planting some of my bulbs for the season and forgetting where I planted them. Then, when I start planting the rest again, I have an "ah oh" moment and waste time trying to remember not to add more bulbs after the first batch. If you can't give yourself enough time to plant all the bulbs at once, take photos, draw a diagram, or separate the planted areas to avoid double planting. If you're planting doubles, don't worry. Maybe something beautiful and unexpected will come out of your mistake!
Central Park Gallery. Written by Grace Elton, CEO of the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture . Located on 171 acres in Boylston. The New England Botanic Garden creates plant experiences that inspire people and improve the world. More information at www.nebg.org . The column appears on the third Sunday of each month.
This article originally appeared on Telegram and Gazette: Block Central Gardening: Seven Dos and Don'ts of Planting Fall Bulbs
